Coal’d American

After 25 years on the blacklist of America’s energy sources, coal is poised to make a comeback, stoked by the demand for affordable electricity and the rising price of other fuels.At least 94 coal-fired electric power plants – with the capacity to power 62 million American homes – are now planned across 36 states.

The plants, slated to start coming on line as early as next year, would add significantly to the United States’ generating power, help keep electricity prices low, and boost energy security by offering an alternative to foreign oil and gas. But they would also pump more airborne mercury and greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and sulfur dioxide into the air

Well, I’m convinced. Phaedrus isn’t so sure this qualifies as a Good Thing–” We’re a bunch a damn energy drunks and if we don’t change our ways we’re gonna die.”–but then he’s one of those left-wing loonies always looking on the dark side (dark like the lungs of the miners after 10 years of getting the shaft being in the shafts). But what’s a little sacrifice like that compared to boosting the profits of the starving energy corps? Priorities, gang, priorities. Gotta have ‘em.